Today’s Buyers Guide is all about hard swimbaits!! Which glide baits are best? Which Wakebait should you try? Is there a bluegill swimbait that’s better than the rest? And finally, what rod should you use to fish these baits? Let’s find out!
We love throwing big swimbaits for bass! We know we aren’t alone because has exploded with new swimbaits the past few years! With so many choices, how do you know which baits to trust? We’re here to help! These are our top picks from all the major categories.
Below you’ll find links to the exacts baits and gear discussed in the video. We’ve included our favorite sizes and colors for each, as well as the exact rods we throw them on. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item.
*PREVIOUS BUYER’S GUIDES…*
•$100 Rod And Reel Combos: https://youtu.be/n3AQnmNoUPQ
•$200 Rod And Reel Combos: https://youtu.be/YqWwjXJtkdo
•$300 Rod And Reel Combos: https://youtu.be/N-NHeMwI77Q
•$400 Rod And Reel Combos: https://youtu.be/-H9VEnkSiow
•$500 Rod And Reel Combos: https://youtu.be/cAtbntQHpv4
•Ultra High End Rods And Reels: https://youtu.be/-4aUElWcGxw
•BFS (Bait Finesse) Guide: https://youtu.be/xaEw2WvkgZA
*GLIDE BAITS…*
•Baitsanity Explorer: http://bit.ly/33bQyxY
Color: TW Steelhead, Trout, Shad
•Explorer Hatch Match Tail: http://bit.ly/3sDtrf8
•River2Sea S Waver 168: http://bit.ly/2aiu8Sh
Color: Light Trout, Bluegill, Warden Hitch
•GRatt Sneaky Pete: http://bit.ly/2RYCPFe
Color: Adult Trout, Hitch, Light Trout
*MULTI JOINT BAITS…*
•22nd Century Triple Trout (7″ or 8″): http://bit.ly/2E8Up5P
Color: Southern Blue Herring, Bone, Trout
•Mike Bucca’s Bull Shad (6″ or 7″): http://bit.ly/2eJ8gWM
Color: Gizzard Shad, Threadfin Shad
*BIG TOPWATER BAITS…*
•River2sea Tactical Wake 210: http://bit.ly/3aV6peA
Color: Chrome Gill, Tactical Shad, Copper Carp
•PB Rat 2 Piece: http://bit.ly/2OKJZBH
Color: Bone Brown, Brown Black
•SPRO 8″ Floating Trout: http://bit.ly/2cU1x5P
Color: Flat Rainbow, Hitch
*BLUEGILL BAITS…*
•Jackall Gantarel: http://bit.ly/2adZI3R
Color: RT Bluegill, RT Ghost Gill, RT Crappie
•Mike Bucca Bull Gill: http://bit.ly/2f1ASHn
Color: Bluegill, Dirty Bone
•Baitsanity Gill Glide: http://bit.ly/3F65FxK
Color: Bluegill, Dark Bluegill
*HOOK AND RING UPGRADES…*
•Owner ST–36 (1X Hook): http://bit.ly/2cWpeyw
Sizes: 1 or 1/0
•Owner ST–56 (3X Hook): http://bit.ly/2cVg7xW
Sizes: 2, 1, 1/0
•Owner Hyper Wire Split Rings: http://bit.ly/2v8ArBX
Sizes: 5,6,7
•Owner Ultra Wire Split Rings: http://bit.ly/3bQgswL
Sizes: 3, 4, 5
*SWIMBAIT LINE…*
•Power Pro Maxcuatro: http://bit.ly/2clBRiQ
Sizes: 65 lb – 80 lb
•Sunline Saltimate Fluoro Shock Leader: http://bit.ly/3oT1oq2
Sizes: 25, 30, 35 lb
•Sunline Saltimate Mono Shock Leader: http://bit.ly/3WqDIJp
Sizes: 30 40 lb
*FAVORITE SWIMBAIT COMBO…*
Rod– G Loomis IMX Pro 966: https://bit.ly/3ktZFnF
Reel– Shimano Tranx 300: http://bit.ly/2kYsvRw
*BUDGET SWIMBAIT COMBO #1…*
Rod– Shimano SLX A 7’8″ Heavy: http://bit.ly/3QbMjvs
Reel– Shimano Curado 300K (HG): http://bit.ly/2HbZ3E4
*BUDGET SWIMBAIT COMBO #2…*
Rod– Savage Gear Squad 8′ Heavy: http://bit.ly/3tT8bS2
Reel– 13 Fishing Concept A3: http://bit.ly/3GLddq8
*WANT TACTICALBASSIN GEAR??*
We have a variety of apparel items and custom lure designs available! Everything from hats, to hoodies, to crankbaits! Its all available direct through Tackle Warehouse with fast shipping. See it here…
TacticalBassin Apparel and Lure Designs: http://bit.ly/38YpPIz
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*MAJOR EQUIPMENT WE USE DAILY…*
Trolling Motor– Minn Kota Ultrex 112: http://bit.ly/2vFQypW
Electronics– Humminbird Solix 15: https://bit.ly/35HuPRY
Anchors– Minn Kota Talons: http://bit.ly/2F0QBSP
Net– Frabill Conservation PLD 2612: https://bit.ly/3kdZ3kA
Camera– GoPro Hero 9: http://bit.ly/2KQ0VEI
*FAVORITE TOOLS AND GEAR…*
Favorite sunglasses: https://bit.ly/3cLH0kl
Favorite Pliers: https://bit.ly/3xJFwTu
Favorite life jacket: http://bit.ly/2odXXIP
Favorite Scale: http://bit.ly/2f7QgQ9
Favorite Lure Retriever: http://bit.ly/2TLTJc6
Favorite Braid Cutters: https://bit.ly/35KSp3O
Favorite Split Ring Pliers: http://bit.ly/2fT4Qw0
Favorite Storage Box: https://bit.ly/3kngvEG
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If you plan to do any shopping, using our links before doing your shopping at Tackle Warehouse is the single greatest way to support us! You won’t be able to even see a difference but they’ll know you’re one of us!
#fishing #swimbait #review
http://bit.ly/2OyZlG8 <– The Tackle Warehouse Black Friday Sale Has Started, Click The Link To Save On Tackle!
Would love to "see" how these baits look in the water while "swimming". Lol……
I am curious to know what size hooks upgrade for the Tactical Wake? Because the stock hooks are too big and bulky.
Two of the best glide baits I've used are shine glide ghost Gizzard 7" by Savage gear and G-rat glide bait sneaky peak.
Do you recommend the pistol Pete and the swaver 120 for smallmouth, I feel that the sneaky Pete and the 168s are too big
Thanks for schooling me on the hard baits. Free Bass knowledge don't change please. I am a better angler thanks to you 2 GUYS
Yall have helped me catch so many bass! Thank you!!!
You guys gotta give varivas shock leader a try. It is amazing stuff.
Surprised the Megabass vatallion wasn’t mentioned, just caught my pb at 6.26 on one. A few weeks later (today) I caught a 5.93 on a jackal gantral full size. Thinking about grabbing a bucca gill soon. Would have some shad ones but most of my ponds I fish are bluegill dominant
how do you cast your braid to mono blood knot through your guides with a 4-8 ft leader?
I know these guys are pros but I can’t help but cringe when I hear people say you need a 8ft heavy rod with 65lb braid to catch a bass..
Great video
looking to get my first glidebait rod, im really considering the SLX, but i want a slightly longer rod and was thinking the tatula elite 8' with its moderate action would be perfect, but its rated for up to 9oz and i plan to throw between 2-6oz and im worried it wont handle the smaller 2 and 3 oz baits i have too well. i will also be doing 90% of my fishing from a kayak and some boat if that matters. any recommendations (under 200$) would be a huge help.
Im just curious What your opinions are on the chad shad?
When you are using braid to leader, what connecting do you use?
What are your thoughts on the Daiwa Coastal-TWS Casting Reel for big swim baits? Applicable or not quite enough? It looks to have some great line capacity and the sv-tw tatula-esque brake system.
One last question for you guys pertaining to swimbait rods. Which swimbait rod choice would be the better fit to crossover into Striper fishing? The 795 Dobyns or Shimano SLX A Swimbait rod? I noticed the Dobyns states rated 1-5oz lures and the Shimano rated 2-8oz lures. Is the Shimano a good bit more stiff? Mind you I’m fishing a highland/Hartwell reservoir where a big large or spot is 5-8lb.
What about a loomis IMX pro 965 ? Is that a good all around swimbait Rod ?
Hey fellas, my wallet would like to have a word with you.
For those looking for budget line, I've been running the Runcl brand braid all year. Have had zero problems with it. My hook actually sheared on a hang-up before the 50 lb line gave out. 🤙
Hey guys when I upgrade my rods & reels should I upgrade my rod first or my reel? go from $200 to 300 .
Hey guys! Great video! I've always wondered what knot you guys use when going from braid to mono?
Can't believe they are not talking about the 7'9 Dobyns Fury swimbait rod. That thing is a sleeper
Thank you Matt and TIm for the support :). Hope you guys have a great holiday season
Is a leader a must or would just the straight braid be ok?
How do you guys like the deps 250’s and the lunker punker?
Addendum: I have asked this before, no answer; unless you are both left handed why do you use a right hand crank baitcaster? When your spinner is left hand crank? Seems relevant to me since I switched to fight with the strong arm and crank with the weak side. YMMV
Great video guys. Just now getting into the glides and big swimbaits. Will be going with these great recommendations.
What's more skip-able on the wake bait side of things?
Anyone else having issue with S-wavers only swimming in one direction? a few reviews on tackle warehouse say the same thing. I've got 2 120 size that no longer work after month. and 1 of 3 168s same issue. the bait seems perfectly fine,clean and swings fine in hand but the second you put them in water they just wont bend in one direction. 120 works great in my pond so i love the bait but 3/5 working is just to much for me even at a sale price.
Well done. Thank you. I’m relatively new to big hard baits and Those are baits I’ve been playing with. The rod/real selections were especially helpful
In your spare time could you come out here to the ranch and test the lures I make? A few spinners but those are a like kind to commercial. The ones I make are mostly crank and jerk or glider types with a few Lazy Ikes and flatfish thrown in: Elm, Ash and Western Red Juniper. I have moved away from treble hooks in an effort to improve weight and balance and action responses to speed and depth control. NO I DO NOT sell lures. Thanks in advance.
Great video I have a question I have the S-waver 168 and a slide swimmer 115 I live in MD /DC we are moving into winter can I still fish the 168 and my slide swimmer 115
Need to put some of the Tactical Bassin apparel on sale! ! Looking at the Reaper hoodie.
Matt/Tim do y’all think the squad 8’ extra heavy would be a good choice for a more budget soft bait rod?
As usual, perfect.
Anyone ever troll with some of these baits?
Yes
As a bank fisherman, I feel like I would like the 7’3 SLX rod for bigger swimbait fishing
Anyone else been having problems with S-weavers? I’ve bought about five over the year and all don’t swim at all tried switching the hooks and split rings still no luck. Use to be such a good bait :/
Love this channel! Matt and Tim never advertise lures or fishing products that they don’t trust or use themselves.
Thanks so much guys. Awesome video. The review was great and explaining how to work the baits was even better. Thanks for your hard work. Truly appreciate it. You guys have really helped me catch so many fish.
Do you guys throw the g ratt baits rat any
Do you use the flouro shock line for your spinning rod leaders ? (Drop shot,shakey head,Ned rig)
No more SC 100 wow that sucks
Hey guys. I've bought a decent assortment of these baits over the last year. I'm in Nebraska, and not around the giant bass like you guys are, so im not really expecting to catch much on these big baits, but they sure are fun to throw. I did however catch about a 2lb largemouth on my 1st cast with the s-waver 200, which really suprised me, and sometimes it's fun just to see the weird looks you get from people when throwing these things. I fish from shore a lot and was wondering if you have any heavier rod suggestions for casting the bigger baits, and trying to make really long casts. I have the loomis 966 and sometimes it just doesnt feel right when i try to bomb a cast with a real heavy bait. Ever go to a musky rod for this? Also any thoughts on the new st croixs with the grasp reel seat? Thanks, and good fishing!